By VICTORIA OJEME
ABUJA—The Federal Government has charged all of the country’s ambassadors to ensure the protection of all Nigerians abroad, warning that it would not hesitate to invoke the principle of reciprocity against any country that treated its people with disdain.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, gave the charge during the induction course for the new 88 ambassadors-designate, yesterday, in Abuja.

Ambassador Ashiru noted that their primary duty was protection of Nigerians in their countries of assignment.

He also warned that Nigeria henceforth will not hesitate to apply reciprocity principle against any country that trampled on the interest and welfare of Nigerians either residing or in transit in the country.

He said:   “I must emphasise that your primary duty is the protection of Nigerians in your countries of accreditation. As you all know, there is no Nigeria without Nigerians. You must, therefore, adopt an open-door policy to Nigerians on transit or resident in your country of assignment.

“You should encourage Nigerians to register with your Missions so that we could develop a credible data base of Nigerian professionals for ease of access by the government and the private sector.

“Encourage interaction with resident Nigerians and ensure effective consular duties, including visitations to Nigerians in distress situations.

“We should demand at all times and anywhere that Nigerians at home and abroad who seek service or assistance at any embassy/mission or consulate must be treated with dignity.”

Warning that Nigeria was now ready to take reciprocity measures against any country, he said: “As a government, we will not hesitate to apply strict reciprocity, a cardinal principle in diplomacy, in our relations with all countries, especially where the interest and welfare of Nigerians are concerned.”

…doubles funding for polio 

ABUJA—Federal Government has doubled its domestic funding on polio to ensure complete eradication of  the disease in the country.

Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, said this in Abuja when US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence McCulley, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to his office.

He explained that though polio was not the only public health challenge in Nigeria, it remained the most urgent one that the entire world was aspiring to eradicate.

Chukwu said: “Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication has just been inaugurated by Mr. President and all the state governors and other stakeholders are working together to ensure that polio is eradicated.”

The minister said there was need to intensify surveillance and monitoring of polio cases, stressing that each case of polio would be treated as an emergency and be given necessary attention.

On the recent outbreak of Lassa fever, Chukwu said 15 states had been affected, adding that  the Federal Government quickly inaugurated a Rapid Response Committee to stem the tide of the disease.

On malaria, the minister said his ministry was planning to embark on vector control measures, stressing that millions of insecticidal-treated nets had been purchased and distributed through National Malaria Control Programme, NMCP.

On the Centre for Disease Control, CDC,  Chukwu solicited the support of the US government to provide technical assistance for the full take-off of the centre.

He also noted that the Federal Government had signed a pact with all state governors on their commitment on health issues.